LANDLORD Paul Brooker is planning to start the New Year with a strict fitness regime after being holed-up behind the bar in the Farmers Arms at Kempsey, for a fortnight.

The 51-year-old, who weighs in at 17-and-a-half stone, is planning to take part in the Three Valleys Ski Challenge, starting from Port du Soleil in the French Alps, in less than three months' time.

"I have been skiing before, but this is one of the ultimate challenges for Cancer Research and it goes down the steepest runs at the largest ski areas in Europe," said Mr Brooker.

"You have to do all the descents and cover about 100 miles over two days. It's going to be quite hard.

"I've been so busy working in the pub that I haven't stepped outside the door for more than half-an-hour in the past fortnight but, although I've been busy, it's the wrong sort of exercise.

"I need to lose at least a stone and build up my leg muscles."

Cannons gym, in Droitwich Road, Worcester, has offered to get Mr Brooker into trim for the challenge.

Duty manager Barry Sant said a trainer would need to assess his physical condition and draw up a personal fitness plan for him, taking into account his lifestyle, eating habits, stress and sleep patterns.

"Once we have set up an initial programme he will be set to work on the appropriate equipment," he said.